LAS VEGAS – It was Tuesday afternoon, shortly after the Winnipeg Jets settled in at the Bellagio hotel to prepare for the third game of the Western Conference final against the Vegas Golden Knights. The Jets had a day off, but a long flight in. As per NHL protocols, they were obliged to make a handful of players available for interviews, before coach Paul Maurice took the stage. (I’m going to talk for 19 hours,” threatened Maurice, “and keep everybody from getting out on the town).” He was smiling when he said that – a recurring theme Tuesday.

Mathieu Perreault, the veteran of the Jets’ group, got in front of the cameras first, knowing that the sooner you say your piece, the faster you can make your exit. Mark Scheifele took the next turn, which left the two remaining players – forward Andrew Copp and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck – to determine who got stuck being last in line. In the end, they settled it the way you might expect from competitive professional...